Carrie Quote by Friedrich August von Hayek
“It may be that a free society... carries in itself the forces of its own destruction, that once freedom has been achieved it is taken for granted and ceases to be valued, and that the free growth of ideas which is the essence of a free society will bring about the destruction of the foundations on which it depends.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Constitution of Liberty, Friedrich Hayek, 1960
Freedom can become complacent, leading to its own destruction as people take it for granted and its foundational ideas erode.
In simple terms: Freedom can be destroyed by complacency.
Guard freedom against complacency.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education
- civic engagement
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we keep freedom valued?
- What signs show freedom is being taken for granted?
Freedom requires active maintenance.